Orthodontia question - turning the key?

[disykat]

ARG! My son got his expanders today. I'm supposed to turn the key twice a day and tonight was the first time. I couldn't get the key to fit and now I can't find the holes. I think I managed to turn it half way and now there's no way to get the thing in the hole to complete the turn. My son was so patient with his head basically upside down while I tried to mess with the darn thing.

I'm calling in the morning and I'll have to go in and admit what an idiot I am that I couldn't do it right.

The bottom expander looks like a retainer and comes out for turning. I only have to do that twice a week. I'm not looking forward to that either because the gal who showed me had a terrible time getting it to work.

Man! Any advice or sympathy? I had braces and so did my other son, but we didn't have anything like this!

 

[Off2DisIGo]

OUCH! I had an expander for my top teeth (back in the 80's, ahem ) and that thing was painful! No advice, just for your son.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Must say, you're a great parent for giving your child the asset of a beautiful smile! It's worth ALL the pain and bother! Hope you can figure out how to turn that little key!

 

[Katy Belle]

DS had one of those and I turned that little key. You're right, you'll just have to go in and have them help you. Once you get the hang of it it will be easy. My DS didn't have any pain after the first day. Good luck to you!
Katy

 

[Happywanderer]

How old is your son? Can't he do it himself? I ask this because it really is easier for the person with the expander to get the key in the hole and turn it. I had one in when I was about 12 and I can't imagine someone else trying to find that hole and then turning. Your tongue is a great help in this. Maybe the orthodonist (or assistant) needs to work with your son.

 

[Serena]

Yep, it's a pain isn't it. I did it couple times for my dd, but she decided she'd rather do it herself.

It's really not simple until you get it figured out, so don't worry. You're not an idiot for not being able to do it the first time.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Oh lord, I had one of these. *ohhhhhhhhhh the pain*

 

[AKLRULZ]

I was in your boat August 2005 - my 14 year old is near the end finally! Good luck to your - just give it patience and persistance!

 

[Galahad]

Sympathies here too! Had to do this for DS#2 a few years back and it is indeed pretty difficult. Talk about "threading the needle". Good luck!

 

[Kim1964]

My daughter got hers a couple of weeks ago, and I couldn't do it either. My husband did it most nights, but he isn't always home. Anyway, I took her in for a check up on Tuesday and had the doctor show me again. The trick for me is to use a flashlight, since my problem has been not being able to see the hole. Now we're all set.

 

[LBAK]

When you think you have it in the hole let go of the key. If it's in tight it'll stay there, if it's not it will fall out. I used to turn it fairly slow, 1-so my DD could catch her breath and 2-so it didn't fall out. Good luck to you and your DS.

 

[disykat]

Thanks. I tried the flashlight, but I can't get the key to stay in the hole. I do think it's half way or something, because it just won't "catch" in there so I can move anything!

Boy, I hope it's something he can figure out how to do himself. (he's 11) I was told to do it. I figure if I can't even find that little hole looking upsidedown with a flashlight, he probably won't be able to find it.

My dental phobias aren't helping in this situation! Thankfully my kids haven't inherited my freakiness about their teeth.

Only an hour until the orthodontist opens. Thanks for helping me not feel like such an idiot!

 

[disykat]

Ahh - problem solved. As I suspected, the hole was out of alignment and that's why I wasn't able to grip it.

The receptionist was able to jiggle it back and show it to me at a different angle so I could actually see the hole and feel the key go in securely.

Hopefully tonight it will work! Thanks again for the kind words!

 

[phisigprincess]

All I remember about that was tipping my head back and my dad turning the key because my mom couldn't do it. And when it was all done I got a piece of a pop tart!!!! Good luck with it tonight!!

 

[momof2inPA]

My son has the removable ones and sometimes the holes come blocked. Since they're removable I just turn from the hole on the other side.

 

[moniot]

Both my kids had one. What a pain. We had several different shaped keys. You could use what worked the best and they all had a piece of dental floss tied to them so them wouldn't fall down the kids throat.

I also bought a water pick. Food would get stuck above it. I helped both my kids. It was to hard to see to do it yourself.

Good luck.....its worth it.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Bless your heart! I hope that expander gets easier to deal with!

DS10 got braces yesterday. He has some sort of "retainer" that goes in the roof of his mouth. Because DH took DS to the appointment I have NO CLUE what that thing is for or why he has to wear it or how long it is supposed to be in there each day. DH is worthless at medical appointments, but I was working yesterday.

We VERY quickly worked out that DS needs to put the retainer in himself. Much easier for him to do it. He was about to climb up the wall when DH and I were trying to help him. He is supposed to take it out when he eats, then brush his teeth and put it back in. I'm not so sure about this whole orthodontia thing anymore. DS stayed home from school today because his mouth was so sore, but I told him no matter what happens after this he WILL go to school. He also didn't sleep in the retainer last night because it bothered him, but I am pretty sure he is supposed to leave it in all the time.

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

My DD had one. Once you get it, you'll get the hang of it!

I'd call the orthodonticts office for advice.